William Parker, Food Firm Executive

William Edward Parker, 53, vice president and secretary of Parker House Sausage Co. and a longtime resident of the Beverly neighborhood, died Friday in his home after a severe asthma attack.

Mr. Parker`s family-owned South Side business was started by his father, the late Judge Henry Parker in 1921. Its products are sold at stores in several Midwestern cities.

His business was ``one of the pioneer black companies of Chicago,`` said Darryl F. Grisham, president of Parker House Sausage.

``His father migrated to Chicago from Clarksville, Tenn., and began the company specializing in Southern-style sausage products,`` Grisham said.

Mr. Parker was a former president and member of the Chatham Lions Club for more than 25 years. He was chairman of the club`s circus and zone committee, spearheading efforts to entertain blind children at Medinah Shrine circus events.

Parker also was a district chairman of the club and in 1986 became the first black member of the organization to be honored as District Lion of the Year.

``He was a man of quiet dedication to the enterprise founded by his father, which he felt proved that black citizens could successfully produce products in the open market,`` Grisham said. ``He brought the same kind of dedication to his involvement in the Lions Club.``

Mr. Parker graduated from Lindblom High School and attended Roosevelt University. He was an Air Force veteran.

He is survived by a son, Michael C.; a daughter, Kimico R.; a brother; a sister; and a grandson.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in Griffin Funeral Home, 3232 S. King Drive. Visitation also will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Carter Temple CME Church, 7841 S. Wabash Ave., where services will be held at 8 p.m.